Ethics and research

Research Ethics in New Zealand  

New Zealand has strict ethical regulations that must be upheld when research is being conducted. All aspects of a project that require ethical review must have approval from the appropriate ethics committees before the research commences. Ethics committees are responsible for reviewing proposed research studies, advising if any changes are required to uphold ethical standards, and approving or rejecting the proposals. The institutions that host the research are responsible for making sure the appropriate ethics approvals are in place. If a research study changes, amendments must be submitted and approvals resought from the ethics committees before the changes can be implemented. 

The Neurological Foundation 

The Neurological Foundation funds research into neurological conditions, which can include studies involving biological materials, animal models and human participants. The Foundation subjects each research funding application to rigorous peer review by a national committee, plus evaluation by international experts in the field. Our committees discuss whether the proposed methods are appropriate or whether the same results can be achieved with different methods. Applicants must state which ethical approvals are required, whether they have already obtained their ethics approvals, or provide justification as to why their proposed work does not require ethical approvals. It is a requirement for the institutions who host Neurological Foundation funded research to meet all New Zealand and international ethical codes and legislation. If an ethics committee requests significant changes to a research study that the Foundation has agreed to fund, the Foundation must approve the changes before funding commences. 

Human Research  

Research involving humans, human tissue or health information must adhere to New Zealand’s National Ethical Standards. The standards fulfil the National Ethics Advisory Committee’s legal obligation to determine nationally consistent ethical standards across the health sector in line with the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000. The Health and Disability Ethics Committees review research involving people to ensure it is culturally and ethically sound and protects the rights, safety, and wellbeing of those involved.  

While some treatments can be studied in humans without using animal models first, the international community has strict ethical guidelines for research involving people. Research in humans is often not possible for legal, ethical, or scientific reasons, therefore, to progress our understanding of diseases, how they develop, and what treatments might be effective and safe, animal research is required when there is no alternative. 

Animal Research  

Animal research must have approval from an appropriate animal ethics committee. In New Zealand, animal ethics committees operate under a Code of Ethical Conduct approved by the Ministry for Primary Industries, which includes representatives from organisations such as the SPCA and the NZ Veterinary Association. The committees are guided by the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and the principles of reducing, refining, and (wherever possible) replacing the use of animals in research. Guidance is provided by the National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC). NAEAC is also committed to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 

Biosecurity 

The Ministry of Primary Industries is the lead agency for biosecurity, to protect New Zealand's economy, environment, human health, and social and cultural values. Certain types of research may require approvals from biosecurity agencies, such as the import and export of biological materials and regulation of gene technology. 

Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in New Zealand

New Zealand Universities have signed an Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in New Zealand. You can read more about this here.